Family cycling holidays in France

Cyclists of all skill levels can enjoy fantastic scenery on a cycling holiday in France, as well as experience traditional French cuisine at the many hotels you stop at on your travels through the picturesque countryside.

France is an extremely keen cycling country, as we all no doubt know with the Tour de France, and they have made it very easy to explore the countryside and cities on two wheels, with dedicated bike lanes and routes. around.

Cycling holidays will give you peace and quiet with stunning views of the countryside, castles, medieval towns, hills, valleys and gorges, and these are just some of the things you would easily miss if you were driving through France, and with rich heritage. , extraordinary landscapes and gastronomic delights can be appreciated more by bicycle, especially due to the extensive national network of veloroutes.

These veloroutes will take you along canal towpaths, quiet country lanes and converted railway lines, as well as taking you into the heart of the countryside using Voies Vertes, also known as Greenways, which are specially designated pathways that are completely closed to the motorized traffic. You can even rent your bike down the road from one of the many places: velos that line the main cycle routes.

You can still find areas in France that are so peaceful that it’s rare to see a car, but you might get passed by some very passionate cyclists! Stopping for lunch and experiencing the local cuisine and of course the local wine is a must and you can often find fortified villages scattered along the hill tops and valleys for the most pleasant stops.

Or if you prefer to organize your trip, why not let the hoteliers carry your luggage by finding establishments that offer an “accueil velo”, which are hotels and bed and breakfasts catering specifically to cycling holidays throughout France?

You can’t go wrong with a cycling holiday in the French Alps as you’ll discover some of the most spectacular cycling routes in the world, with climbs such as the world famous Col de la Croix der Fer and Alpe d’Huez around Grenoble. But in addition to the Alps, cycling in the Pyrenees with its climbs to mountains such as Col de Portet d’Aspet and Col d’Aspin will give you the opportunity to see some of the most beautiful places in Europe. Although these are not for the faint of heart! If you’ve ever seen the Tour de France, you’ll have seen some of those tough mountain routes and the suffering these riders go through, but maybe this could be the kind of holiday you’re looking for!

Furthermore, Midi-Pyrénées offers a wealth of art and history, from prehistoric cave paintings to Renaissance mansions, and is also famous throughout France for its cuisine rich in foies gras, Roquefort cheese, Gaillac wines and Armagnac brandy, but to make the In most of this region, it is often advisable to plan your cycling holiday very carefully, so that you can enjoy the different places along the way.

However, if mountain biking and strenuous cycle routes through the mountains aren’t your thing, then don’t worry, there are plenty of other areas in France that will suit novice or family cycling holidays, as will Brittany, this area is ideal. for a family cycling holiday, as the coastal routes along the bays are reasonably flat, making travel easy, while the Loire is more undulating, but fabulous riverside towns and castles will enthrall you and your family in your travels.

What about the Poitou-Charentes area, which is a great option for wildlife and bird watching lovers, as the area remains extremely rural, even compared to some of the other areas of France and Burgundy is a great place to cycle along the many canal routes.

Then there is the Dordogne, which is extremely picturesque, and from the rivers and gorges to the forests and vineyards, this area offers such diversity that you will enjoy the whole experience from the beginning to the end of your holiday.

Mind you, with a cycling holiday organized for you, you don’t have to worry about where you’ll stop for a break or lunch or where you’ll stay, which means you don’t have to have your suitcases packed to the brim, as all your belongings they are transported for you, ready and waiting when you arrive at your next stop, plus if you decide to add other activities, such as canoeing and horseback riding, your bikes will be transported to your next stop and picked up at a specific location.

So whether you’re a cycling enthusiast or a novice with a family, France is a fantastic destination to explore on your bike.